Imagine hosting a whimsical wedding celebration at home, where every detail is infused with personal touches and rustic charm. That’s exactly what Sara and Gareth did on September 21st, 2019, following their church ceremony. The couple’s vision was to create an intimate, country-style gathering that reflected their unique personalities. With only six months of planning, they conjured up a magical atmosphere at their home, transforming it into a breathtaking venue with a marquee as its centerpiece. The natural materials used – wooden touches, personalized bunting, an abundance of cake, and sweet Emma Bridgewater mugs and vases for flowers – added to the rustic charm. Sara stunned in her lace gown, adorned with a delicate sash and flowers in her hair, while Gareth and his groomsmen donned green tweed jackets and waistcoats paired with chinos. The bridesmaids shone in sage green frocks, and a charming detail was the bridesmaid wrist bands – a delightful touch! These enchanting images are courtesy of The Chamberlins, whose work we’re grateful to have shared with us.
The Proposal
April 7th, 2019, was a day that would be etched in my memory forever. After months of discussing marriage and secretly browsing rings on Pinterest, I had given Gareth a subtle hint about my preferences while also knowing he had spoken to my dad about popping the question. But as the days passed, my impatience grew. Little did I know, Gareth was concocting a plan that would sweep me off my feet.
As I woke up to Gareth’s movements in the kitchen, my curiosity got the better of me. I slipped on some clothes and applied a touch of makeup, just in case, before heading downstairs. That’s when I noticed Gareth’s emotional state – his lip quivering, and I knew something extraordinary was about to unfold.
He suggested we have breakfast in the garden, and as we stepped out into the misty morning, he had set up a breathtaking scene on the patio. A beautifully laid table with a massive bouquet of roses in my beloved Emma Bridgewater jug, two roses on the back of each chair, and the soothing sound of a hot tub filling up in the background – little did I know, Gareth had purchased it the day before and discreetly filled it without my knowledge.
्नHe led me down the garden path, both of us overcome with emotion. That’s when I spotted a blanket carefully folded and placed on the ground. As he got down on one knee, his voice trembling as he asked for my hand in marriage, I couldn’t help but say yes! The ring was stunning, eerily similar to my favorite design on Pinterest.
The rest of the day was a whirlwind of pancakes for breakfast, a leisurely walk with our dogs, making calls to loved ones, and then we traveled to the picturesque village of Lavenham. We savored French cuisine at The Great House restaurant, basking in the euphoria of being on cloud nine all day long.
The Vision
Our dream wedding was rooted in the serenity of nature, with a rustic woodland theme that perfectly reflected our personal connection. Given the complexities we’d faced in both our previous marriages, we sought an understated yet meaningful celebration. Our home, nestled half a mile into the woods, provided the ideal setting for an intimate and relaxed gathering. It was only fitting to hold the reception there, surrounded by the beauty of nature that had played such a significant role in our relationship. After all, it was where our love story began – with leisurely strolls through the forest, lazy afternoons spent sipping G&Ts in the garden, and joyful moments playing with our furry friends. Even our proposal took place in this enchanted setting, making it an undeniable choice for our special day.
The Planning Process
With only six months to plan and save for our September wedding, we embarked on a fairly fast-paced planning process. Our hearts were set on creating a special day with deep meaning for us and our loved ones, which largely involved keeping things simple and intimate. Since our venue was actually our home, we focused a significant amount of time and energy on getting the garden looking its absolute best. Little did we know that fate had other plans, and we faced several unexpected setbacks in the lead-up to the big day. Our car broke down, then got broken into – talk about added stress! The wedding planner was even stolen from my handbag, leaving us feeling frazzled and worried about how we’d pull off the perfect celebration.
The Venue
The picturesque backdrop of our local country church, East Harling, served as the idyllic setting for our special day. Our chosen venue was actually our own rustic country home, where we transformed it into an unforgettable space by renting a marquee and taking on the creative task of designing the decor ourselves.
Groomsmen
The groomsmen stood out in their unique attire, featuring Moss Bros. cufflinks and 12 Bore Kickback Creation accessories. In contrast, the page boy stole the show with his adorable ensemble consisting of a tweed waistcoat paired with a crisp white shirt and navy trousers. His tiny legs moved swiftly as he walked down the aisle at just over one year old, exuding an undeniable charm.
Bridesmaids
As we planned the wedding, I knew that finding the right attire for my bridesmaids would be crucial in bringing together the country, woodland theme. To achieve this, I opted for sage green dresses from Oasis, which featured beautiful lace details and buttons at the back. The girls were given free rein to choose their own shoes, settling on stylish wedges in a pink/nude hue. As an added touch, they each brought their own navy pashminas and cardigans, selecting accessories that suited their personal styles. The overall aesthetic was harmonious and effortless.To complement our dresses, we decided to go for an updo hairstyle that would showcase the bridesmaid gowns without being too matchy-matchy with my own hair. We also wanted to incorporate some greenery into each ‘do, with succulents surrounded by soft ruscus foliage. The final result was breathtakingly beautiful and perfectly captured the whimsical essence of our woodland wedding.Meanwhile, our flower girl dress was a stunning creation crafted by my talented sister, who runs a side business called Bespoke Bunting and Crafts. She skillfully matched the fabric to our bridesmaid dresses, choosing a sage green hue with cream ties that perfectly tied in with the overall theme.
Your Outfits & Accessories
The pièce de résistance was undoubtedly my dress, a stunning Maggie Sottero design that held immense sentimental value. You see, it was actually my sister’s wedding gown, which she generously gifted me and allowed me to modify as I saw fit. This gesture left me feeling deeply grateful and the worry of whether it would suit me was soon replaced by sheer elation. The dress’s beauty was expertly enhanced by Bridal Pixie, a mastermind behind stunning alterations and designs. Her calm demeanor and ability to bring my vision to life were invaluable assets. It’s little wonder that she’s claimed top honors at both the 2019 and 2020 East of England designer/dressmaker of the year awards – her skills are truly exceptional.As for the groom, we opted for a tweed jacket and waistcoat from Moss Bros, complemented by cream chinos and a crisp white shirt adorned with shotgun cartridge cufflinks crafted by 12 Bore Kickback Creations. To complete the look, we chose ties from Debenhams, paired with brass personalized tie clips that added a touch of elegance.
Beauty
For our special day, we sought out the expertise of local professionals to bring our beauty visions to life. At the hairdresser in Thetford, we found a talented team that shared our enthusiasm for creativity and allowed us to craft a stunning look by incorporating fresh flowers. Meanwhile, my sister-in-law, Amineh, worked her magic as Beauty by Amineh, providing top-notch makeup services.
The Flowers
As dawn broke over London’s bustling streets, my team and I set out to curate a unique floral arrangement that would reflect the rustic charm of our special day. Our trusted friend, a seasoned events expert at Pendleton Events, skillfully crafted the blooms into exquisite arrangements, buttonholes, and a stunning bouquet. My vision was clear: a country-inspired aesthetic with a touch of African flair, courtesy of my beloved Protea flowers. These rare and striking specimens not only delighted the senses but also held a special significance, serving as a poignant reminder of my South African heritage. The thrill of the hunt at the London Market was palpable when we stumbled upon Queen and King proteas, along with the blush-inducing Bride proteas – a true coup!
The Details & Décor
The rustic charm of our special day was perfectly captured through the thoughtful touches of handmade decorations. A beautiful bunting, crafted by my sister’s skilled hands at Bespoke Bunting and Crafts, set the tone for a charming celebration. The oak boxes, carefully created by Gareth and personalized with engravings by my sister, added to the country charm. Meanwhile, the candle sticks and heart vase, cleverly repurposed from horse shoes by Anvil Cottage Crafts, brought a touch of whimsy to the proceedings. To further emphasize our love for the great outdoors, we incorporated oak leaves throughout the day’s festivities – from the elegant Emma Bridgewater mugs featuring oak leaf designs to the distinctive wax seal on our order of service and invitations.
The Cake
The pièce de résistance was undoubtedly the breathtaking four-tiered masterpiece created by Puddingpoke Puds, a local baker on the rise. This stunning confection was the culmination of my vision: a cascading floral arrangement with real succulents and flowers. The cake’s two lemon tiers were perfectly balanced by its two Victoria Sponge tiers. Meanwhile, Georgia went above and beyond, baking an impressive 160 Welsh cakes in homage to Gareth’s Welsh heritage. These sweet treats were joined by 80 shortbread hearts, which were distributed after the ceremony, as well as 125 cupcakes featuring a variety of flavors: double chocolate, salted caramel cookie and cream, raspberry and white chocolate, and mint chocolate. In the end, we found ourselves with an abundance of goodies to share or take on our honeymoon – a true testament to Georgia’s baking prowess. The cake’s pedestal was crafted from an oak tree by Gareth himself, who carefully carved out a heart-shaped base and added handles for a unique touch.
Your Photographer
The Chamberlins, consisting of Will and Celle, stood out as a perfect match for our special day. We sought photographers who would seamlessly blend in with the atmosphere and not overwhelm the occasion. The Chamberlins exceeded our expectations by effortlessly becoming an integral part of the celebration, allowing me to relax knowing they had everything under control. Having attended college with Will, I was confident in his talent and friendly demeanor, which further solidified my decision to choose them as our photographers.
The Honeymoon
Our country rustic wedding celebration required a setting that was as serene as it was rejuvenating. We chose the picturesque Lake District, where we could bring our three furry family members along and indulge in leisurely strolls amidst the drizzle. Truth be told, after months of meticulous planning, we were exhausted by the time the big day arrived. So, instead of rushing to get everything perfect, we allowed ourselves to unwind and recharge with cozy nights by the fire, punctuated by marathon viewing sessions of Game of Thrones.
Memorable Moments
As we looked back on the experience of setting up and taking down the marquee, the memories of bringing our vision to life and working collectively to refine our ideas came flooding back. The sense of camaraderie and shared accomplishment was palpable.One particularly poignant moment was witnessing my niece and nephew exchange their vows – it was a truly heartwarming and special experience.The best man’s speech also left a lasting impression, as he cleverly wove in humorous references to Gareth and me meeting on Muddy Matches, all while maintaining a tone that was both playful and respectful.
Advice For Other Couples
As we cherish the fleeting moments of special days, it’s essential not to let tedious tasks like family photo shoots consume our attention. To ensure a seamless experience, I took the initiative to create a comprehensive list of all individuals required for photos, in the order they would be taken. By sharing this schedule with everyone involved ahead of time, we were able to efficiently capture our memories without sacrificing precious moments from the day’s celebrations.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
As we dive into the world of wedding planning, it’s clear that Sara and Gareth’s big day was nothing short of enchanting. With its rustic charm, this celebration was brought to life through a perfect blend of vendors and elements. The photography, courtesy of The Chamberlins, beautifully captured the joyous atmosphere. Meanwhile, Spitting Pig Events ensured that the Hog Roast was the talk of the town – literally! Linen, tables, and other essentials were skillfully handled by The Banqueting Hire Service, providing a seamless backdrop for the festivities. As the night unfolded, The Ashton Jones Project got everyone in the mood with their lively tunes. The majestic marquee, courtesy of Mcnaughton Marquees, provided shelter from the elements while Puddingpoke Puds and Cake satisfied the sweet tooth cravings. Flower Girl Dress & Bunting, designed by Bespoke Bunting and Crafts, added a touch of whimsy to the proceedings. Fresh flowers from Pendleton Events adorned the space, accompanied by Makeup magic courtesy of Beauty by Amineh. Hair styling by Discover Hair kept everyone looking radiant, while The Bridal Pixie ensured Sara looked stunning on her special day. As for decorations, Candle Sticks & Heart Vase, crafted by Anvil Cottage Crafts, brought a warm glow to the proceedings. It’s clear that Sara and Gareth spared no detail in making their wedding day unforgettable – thank you both for sharing your lovely story with us!